diff --git a/components/heartbeat/heartbeat.c b/components/heartbeat/heartbeat.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..606af42
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/heartbeat/heartbeat.c
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+#include "freertos/FreeRTOS.h"
+#include "freertos/task.h"
+#include "driver/gpio.h"
+
+#define HEARTBEAT_GPIO GPIO_NUM_5
+#define HEARTBEAT_PERIOD_MS 250
+
+void heartbeat_task(void *pvParameter)
+{
+  /* Configure the IOMUX register for pad HEARTBEAT_GPIO (some pads are
+     muxed to GPIO on reset already, but some default to other
+     functions and need to be switched to GPIO. Consult the
+     Technical Reference for a list of pads and their default
+     functions.)
+  */
+  gpio_pad_select_gpio(HEARTBEAT_GPIO);
+  /* Set the GPIO as a push/pull output */
+  gpio_set_direction(HEARTBEAT_GPIO, GPIO_MODE_OUTPUT);
+  
+  while(1) {
+    /* Heartbeat off (output low) */
+    gpio_set_level(HEARTBEAT_GPIO, 0);
+    vTaskDelay(HEARTBEAT_PERIOD_MS / portTICK_PERIOD_MS);
+    /* Heartbeat on (output high) */
+    gpio_set_level(HEARTBEAT_GPIO, 1);
+    vTaskDelay(HEARTBEAT_PERIOD_MS / portTICK_PERIOD_MS);
+  }
+}
+
diff --git a/components/heartbeat/heartbeat.h b/components/heartbeat/heartbeat.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..02f97d7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/heartbeat/heartbeat.h
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+
+
+// Task which blinks the LED to make sure the device
+// is still running.
+void heartbeat_task(void *pvParameter);